Hans Vanaken: “We play with confidence”
Club Brugge achieved a hard-fought victory over the Bosuil. Although captain Hans Vanaken did not score, he once again pointed his team in the right direction.
“This is a very important victory, even and perhaps especially despite our very tough programme,” the Limburger immediately started. “It was by no means a high-quality match and it was not that bad, but this does not detract from what we have managed to achieve in recent weeks. With first Union, then Genk and now also Antwerp, we won three away victories in a row and achieved 19 out of 21. Are the gods with us? I understand what you mean by this, but on the other hand there is also the belief in one’s own abilities. We are in a good flow and again… not everyone gets a nine out of nine at Union, Genk and Antwerp. It is also our own merit, so we will ensure that the fairy tale continues.”
Vanaken also immediately had an appropriate answer ready when asked whether the tying goal caused some doubts. “Not at all, because we are playing with confidence and I was sure we would hold the lead until the end. This is in contrast to the regular competition where we let a 0-2 lead slip away. Trust means everything to a player and something like that is hard to explain. Nevertheless, we have to continue to analyze things carefully, because I thought we played a little too little football, especially in the second half, and we still have to improve.”
When the analysts commented that he had given a ‘masterclass’ this afternoon, the Bruges captain had to laugh. “I just try to do my best and if this is appreciated by others, then this is nice to hear. On the other hand, there is also my role as captain and in the moments when we came under pressure, it was important to remain calm and preach calm. As a result, I may have been a little underactive in an attacking sense. I haven’t scored in these play-offs yet, but we are now at the top and are still fully competing for the title. So you certainly won’t hear me complaining.” (MV)
Andreas Skov Olsen: “Emotional about my goal”
With an absolute beauty, Andreas Skov Olsen made it 0-2 and put Club Brugge on the road to an important victory against outgoing national champion Antwerp. The Danish winger was voted ‘Man of the Match’ and thanked him for this honor with the biggest smile.
“I can’t describe how happy I am with this goal and the way of scoring is a bit of my trademark. When celebrating the goal I got really emotional, because after my injuries I am finally back. If you can also help the team by scoring, then you will of course be very satisfied. That said, this could be a very important three-pointer in the battle for the title. With this victory we now put pressure on both Union and Anderlecht, so it is up to them to close the gap again. For us, the approach remains the same and we have to take it from match to match, although the ambition must always be to go all out for the title. Just as we want to do everything we can to reach the final of the UEFA Europa Conference League next Wednesday. It will be anything but a cakewalk, but with our twelfth man we have to do everything we can to give the very best of ourselves.” (MV)
Simon Mignolet: “Away from Antwerp is always a tough nut to crack”
Club remains undefeated in the Champions’ Play-offs after a hard-fought 1-2 victory over FC Antwerp. Due to a minor back injury from Nordin Jackers, Simon Mignolet was allowed to play in goal again for Blauw-Zwart.
“I think they were dangerous from a distance several times, especially in the first half,” the Club goalkeeper opened his argument. “Which led to some dangerous positions, but fortunately I stood firm. I’m especially happy that we can take the three points home again, because you know that an away game at Antwerp is always a very tough nut to crack. Yes… we can look back on this top match with satisfaction, even though I think it is a shame that we still had to concede a goal via a penalty. Otherwise it was again with a clean sheet, but all’s well that ends well.”
Was Ordóñez’s mistake a penalty or no penalty? “I must honestly admit that I did not see what Ordóñez actually did wrong, because I was too focused on my task. But all in all, I’m very happy that I was able to be in goal again today. Obviously, if Jackers hadn’t been hurt, I wouldn’t be playing today either. However, I think I did my job properly. Nordin (Jackers, ed.) and I get along very well and now everyone knows that Club has two very good goalkeepers. I hope his injury is not too serious and that he is fit as soon as possible. The best thing would be if we could celebrate a trophy together within three weeks.” (FDC)
Nicky Hayen: “Everyone gives it to each other”
After another victory in Blauw-Zwart’s impressive winning streak, Nicky Hayen was of course a satisfied coach.
“I think this is just the strength of the whole group,” Hayen began his response. “I said before the match that everyone favors each other and you can just see that. Today, for example, you also saw the substitutes who came on the field and threw their heads in it. If you look at Casper’s tackle (Nielsen) and Philip’s print (Zinckernagel) sees in the last minutes to get those long balls out. That’s just what we want to show every time and it doesn’t matter which name is on the field. Then you see that you may not grow beyond yourself, but you will become a very strong whole.”
After the defeat on Thursday, coach Hayen was still quite strict with his group, but that was not the case now. “I am especially very relieved. Two days ago we were on the plane to return from Italy and today we had another very intense match. I think the tone was already given from the kick-off how difficult it was going to be here. I think we handled that very well. We found the free spaces and had control of the game without having much depth and without creating many chances. We recovered again in the second half and scored well. Then we give oxygen just too early to get back into that match and then you know that it is survival again. Then you see again what this group is capable of.”
A possible penalty foul by De Cuyper on Kerk in the final was also briefly discussed. “I haven’t seen it yet, but I have heard that he touches the ball lightly and that is enough not to call a penalty. I have not seen it, so I cannot judge it.”
Blauw-Zwart continues to win and is getting closer to the title. “We just have to stay level-headed and every match we have to bring today’s performance back onto the field. We cannot afford to go less and bring less intensity, because every ball can fall well. How the title was settled last year If you refer back to last year’s match and they score 3-2 with Vermeeren’s goal in the last minute, we kept that focus for 95 to 96 minutes , so I am very happy with those three points. We have to keep that up for as long as possible,” concluded a realistic interim coach from Club. (TM)
